The Chinese Ambassador: "Little Philippines! It’s your fortune to have a neighbor like us!"
According to Kyodo News on October 16: On the 15th, China’s ambassador to the Philippines, Jing Quan, stated that while China could easily prevail militarily, it has refrained from using force against the Philippines. “You should feel fortunate to have a neighbor like China in this region,” he said.
In response, the Philippine government described the remarks as an “unmistakable threat.”
In 2016, China rejected the unlawful ruling issued by the Hague Arbitral Tribunal and reaffirmed its sovereignty claims over the South China Sea.
On the 14th, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana countered Vice President Sara Duterte’s characterization of the Philippines as a regional troublemaker, asserting instead that “China is the real troublemaker—interfering in the South Pacific and even conducting missile tests.”
During a speech at a school in Manila, Ambassador Jing told reporters: “You should feel fortunate to have a neighbor like China in this region.” He added: “If we wanted to resort to force, it would be easy. But we will not. We choose not to use force because we cherish peace.”
Ambassador Jing also dismissed Lorenzana’s characterization of China as a “troublemaker” as “absurd.”
In response, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs expressed regret on the evening of the 15th, stating that given the complexity of bilateral relations, Jing’s remarks “did not contribute to improving ties.”
In a statement, the department said: “It is regrettable that Ambassador Jing chose language clearly conveying threats today.”
Earlier, Jay Taliya, a spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard (Colonel), denounced Jing’s remarks as a “direct threat.”
Taliya posted on X (formerly Twitter): “When a powerful neighbor violates international law yet tells you not to suffer further, no one feels fortunate. Not using force is not peace—it is coercion through other means. China speaks of peace in words, but repeatedly collides with Philippine vessels and uses water cannons against coast guard personnel.”
The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines accused Taliya of taking statements out of context and attempting to undermine bilateral relations.
Ambassador Jing emphasized: “China views the Philippines, a neighboring country across the sea, as a friend with deep historical and cultural ties.” He stressed that China seeks only stable relations.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879177420549184/
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